Based on your reading of Roberto Bolaño’s Distant Star, write a 6 page essay that analyzes the Cold War in Latin America from the perspective of the novel. The essay should engage fully with the assigned text, in addition to incorporating 2 primary sources found in Problems in Modern Latin America-sources and interpretations by James A. Wood: Salvador Allende, “The Chilean Road to Socialism” (pages 190-194) and also Peter Winn, “Chile’s Revolution from Below” (pages 186-190) The goal of this paper is for you to CRAFT YOUR OWN CRITICAL ARGUMENT, using historic evidence to support your claims. Some questions that me be helpful to think about as you organize your essay include: 1) How does the novel reflect the broader impact of the Cuban Revolution throughout the Americas? In thinking about this question, your essay may conducer topics such as the rise of the New Left in Latin America, the experience of the Allende Government, and the rise of other revolutionary movements throughout the region. OR…2) How does the novel reflect the polarization of political life in Latin America during the Cold War? In thinking about this question, your essay may consider how the Cold War began and why it escalated, and the rise of counter revolutionary movements and military dictatorships throughout the region. ****In discussing the organization of this essay with my professor, she suggested that I describe the life of the characters in the Allende Government before the dictatorship and how these college students in the novel were regular college students who fell in love with beautiful woman and found interest in their hobby in poetry (were only worried about what an 18 year old would/should worry about at that age) These characters lived somewhat of a good life compared to other teenagers living in Latin American countries, where they were forced to fight wars, go to work etc. (First half of the book–pages 3-23) Than my professor suggested after going into detail about the “easy” life of the characters describe how their life’s immediately changed during the dictatorship in Chile. This would include how Bibiano O’Ryan and the narrator (main character) lost their friendship not because they wanted to but because they were constantly vacating areas where dictatorship was too strong (Rest of the book–pages 23-149) My professor does not want a complete overview of the entire Cold War but she wants only a brief description of Chiles side of the Cold War talking about the revolutions and dictatorship etc.
Grading Rubric as follows: Clarity of argument(35pts): Do you take a stand related to the question and follow through with an answer? Your thesis should be stated in the paper introduction. By the end of the first paragraph, I as the reader should have a “road map” for what i will encounter in the rest of the paper in terms of–1)concepts you will cover–2)your position on those concepts–3)the sources you will use to back up your argument. In other words, let the reader know that “SO WHAT?” right from the beginning. Use of sources and readings(30pts): How well do you demonstrate knowledge of the text, and how well do you cite the the texts to support your argument? The historical evidence for your paper should be based on readings from our class. Writing Style(20pts): Is the writing fluid and clear, with fully formed sentences and a logical sequence throughout?
Spelling, grammar, punctuation(15pts):These all count heavily in my evaluation. Proofreading will improve your writing, your argument, and your overall grade.
***Books you will need to read: Distant Star Roberto Bolaño pages 3-149 and also Problems in Modern Latin America-sources and interpretations by James A. Wood (190-194) (186-190)
